What started as a quiet day at a maximum-security prison in Calico Rock, Arkansas, turned into a full-blown scandal when a convicted murderer known as the “Devil in the Ozarks” slipped right out of the gates in a fake law enforcement uniform—and nearly got away with it.
Now, two prison guards have lost their jobs, and state officials are scrambling to understand how something like this could even happen.
A Convicted Killer Walks Free in Disguise
Grant Hardin, a 56-year-old former police chief serving time for both murder and rape, managed to escape the North Central Unit on May 25.
He wore a cleverly crafted disguise that made him look like a law enforcement officer—complete with a blacked-out prison shirt, a badge fashioned from a soup can lid and a Bible cover, and a makeshift patch sewn from an apron.
Security footage later showed him strolling out of the prison without hesitation or fear, pushing a cart as if he belonged there.
Guards Fired Over Major Lapses in Protocol
An internal review by the Arkansas Department of Corrections found serious breaches of policy that made Hardin’s escape possible.
Two correctional officers—Justin Delvalle and William Walker—were fired after the investigation revealed multiple violations, including poor performance and failing to follow direct orders.
Delvalle had let Hardin work unsupervised outside the kitchen, while Walker opened the gates without properly confirming his identity.
He even mistook Hardin’s black uniform for a legitimate one—despite the Department’s standard uniforms being blue.
“Everything Had to Go Wrong for This to Work”
Board of Corrections Chairman Benny Magness told lawmakers that this wasn’t just a one-off mistake—it was a perfect storm of human error.
“If either one of them had just followed the rules, it never would have happened,” he explained.
Delvalle, for instance, should’ve contacted a supervisor when he couldn’t monitor Hardin, but didn’t.
And Walker simply let him walk out. The internal culture around Hardin seemed to have become too relaxed—he wasn’t being monitored closely, and officers had reportedly stopped requiring him to inventory his kitchen tools after each shift.
Hardin’s Elaborate Escape Plan Took Months
Hardin didn’t just get lucky—he planned his escape meticulously.
Over several months, he darkened his prison-issued T-shirt with a marker to resemble a black uniform.
He crafted props to mimic official gear and even built a ladder out of wooden pallets from the kitchen dock.
His plan B? If the gates hadn’t opened, he was ready to scale the fence with that homemade ladder.
And to stay alive outside, he took peanut butter sandwiches from the prison to survive on the run.
Lawmakers Say This Goes Far Beyond Two Guards
Although the two guards were fired, Arkansas lawmakers aren’t convinced the problem ends there.
During a legislative hearing, senators pointed out the broader issues.
“There are a lot of things he did without being noticed,” said Senator Ben Gilmore.
“I don’t think you can blame just two people for that.”
There’s also growing concern over why Hardin—someone convicted of murder and rape—was being held in a facility that primarily houses medium-security inmates.
More Disciplinary Action Could Be Coming
Arkansas Department of Corrections Director Dexter Payne confirmed that a full critical incident review is underway.
Depending on its findings, more staff could face consequences—anything from demotion to firing.
Policy changes and system upgrades are also on the table.
One potential fix? An electronic alert system that would notify higher-level staff every time a prison gate is opened.
In the meantime, the state promises all correctional officers will receive retraining to prevent another breakdown like this.
State Police Join the Investigation
The Arkansas State Police are now investigating to determine whether any laws were broken during the escape.
Col. Mike Hagar, who also serves as the state’s public safety secretary, said a final report is expected within 30 days.
One point of failure already flagged: State Police weren’t even notified immediately.
Warden Thomas Hurst blamed the delay on miscommunication and admitted the situation was deeply embarrassing.
“There’s no one more embarrassed about this than me,” Hurst said. “We failed, and I know that.”
Who Is Grant Hardin? A Closer Look at the “Devil in the Ozarks”
Hardin isn’t just any inmate. His crimes were so shocking they inspired the 2023 HBO documentary The Devil in the Ozarks.
He was convicted of shooting James Appleton, a water department worker, in the head by the roadside in Gateway, Arkansas.
Later, a DNA sample linked him to a 1997 rape of a schoolteacher in Rogers, Arkansas—an assault that took place in a school bathroom.
Hardin ultimately pleaded guilty to both crimes.
A Troubled Past and a Trail of Red Flags
Before ending up in prison, Hardin bounced between police departments in Arkansas.
He was let go from the Fayetteville Police for not meeting training standards and resigned from others under mysterious or troubling circumstances—including excessive force.
At one point, he served as the police chief in Gateway, but he clashed with town officials and residents.
According to family members of the murder victim, tensions between Hardin and Appleton had been building for some time before the shooting.
What Happens Now?
Hardin has pleaded not guilty to the latest charge of escape and is scheduled to go on trial in November.
He remains in custody at the supermax Varner Unit, where security is much tighter.
But his escape has shaken confidence in the state’s corrections system.
What was once seen as a secure facility has now been exposed—and lawmakers are pushing for deeper reform.